RN - Neuro (Inpatient) at CARLE

Special Summer Incentive

*Sign on bonus - $10,000 3yr Commitment

*Vacation accrual based on RN experience

for nurses with 1 or more years experience - External Applicants Only

Position Highlights: 9B Neurology

• Number of beds on unit: 26 bed unit, 22 private beds + 1 Safety Monitoring Unit (SMU) with 4 beds.
• Patient population (age, diagnosis, specifics about unit): The unit serves patients typically above 17 years of age. The patients are admitted with various diagnoses such as stroke, TIA, aneurysms, seizures, epilepsy, brain tumor, dementia, neuromuscular diseases, and ETOH withdrawal. Also includes patients with neurosurgery procedures such as laminectomy, craniotomy, and ACDFs. The SMU has one staff member assigned to the room. These patients are redirectable but need frequent rounding due to confusion, impulsiveness, or lack of understanding of their limitations. The SMU helps them build and maintain a routine until they get a placement.
• Nurse to Patient ratio: 1:5 (occasionally 1:6)
• Department culture and resources: 9B is specialty unit with complex, high acuity neurology and neurosurgery patients. The nurses and HCTs on the unit work collaboratively with the providers, patient families, therapists, and pharmacists to provide safe and quality care. The success of patient care is strongly rooted in teamwork and communication. The unit also focuses on early ambulation of neurosurgery patients. The unit leadership focuses on reinforcing teamwork and individual growth through employee engagement and various opportunities within the organization.
• Frequent nursing skills/equipment used: NIH Stroke Scale, neuro assessment, nursing assessments, medication administration, collaboration with multiple disciplines, and ability to communicate patient care needs with the care team. Hands-on skills such as IV insertion, foley insertion, tracheostomy care, using plum pump for fluid and medication administration, administering tube feeding, wound care and wound vacs, and ostomy bag care. BLS (within 30 days of hire). NIHSS certification (completed upon hire).

• Performs all responsibilities and duties required by unit as specific to the scope of service. Implements procedures and theories related to the specific area of practice. Maintains up-to-date and accurate documentation of nursing care provided to assure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team.
• Completes initial assessment upon patient admission and develops appropriate plan of care in accordance with unit standards and that is based on patient and family needs. Implements plan of care, nursing interventions, and patient care procedures. Modifies plan of care based upon continuous evaluation.
• Takes responsibility for patient and employee safety by reporting and/or correcting safety hazards and incidents.
• Communicates with others directly and in private when necessary to resolve issues. Offers constructive feedback to assist in the professional development of peers, and confers with colleagues to expand knowledge base. Identifies own learning needs and takes initiative to begin appropriate solution.
• Fulfills all requirements of departmental competencies.

• Receives patient Bedside Shift Report from an RN at the beginning of each shift, ensuring the inclusion of the patient input, visual validation of a safe patient room environment at the time of shift change and updating of the patient communication board found in each patient room
• Delegates patient care tasks/responsibilities to assigned HCT’s and validates completion of delegated tasks throughout the shift
• Completes and documents basic RN patient care activities such assessments, interpretation of vital signs, ensure physician order completion, admission/discharge of patients, hourly rounding completion on each assigned patient, care plan documentation and patient education
• Meets Carle Med/Surg RN documentation standards for each assigned patient
• RN will provide patient medications utilizing the patient 5 Rights: Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Route, Right Dose and Right Time
• Maintains patient safety as the highest priority level: ensuring safety measure compliance such as fall precautions, pressure ulcer prevention, isolation precautions and patient ambulation safety
• Maintains a positive attitude at all times on unit that promotes a healthy work environment and a healing patient environment
• Keeps a diligent focus on prompt answering of patient call lights to ensure effective triage and completion of patient requests/medical needs
• Uses critical thinking to evaluate the overall patient condition and uses nursing judgement to identify and act on changes in patient status
• Effectively communicates within the healthcare team to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, effective patient care coordination and patient safety
• Provides competent care for patients who display mild to severe brain injury due to stroke, trauma or surgery; Can specifically identify and respond immediately to neurological changes and/or seizure activity